Red light photodynamic therapy with BF-200 ALA showed superior efficacy in the treatment of actinic keratosis on the extremities, trunk, and neck in a vehicle-controlled phase III study.

BACKGROUND

Actinic keratoses (AK) may occur in all sun-exposed skin areas. Those occurring outside the head area are generally more resistant to treatment than those on the face.

OBJECTIVE

To determine efficacy and safety of BF-200 ALA versus vehicle in the treatment of mild-to-severe AK located on extremities, trunk, and neck with red light photodynamic therapy (PDT).

METHODS

This phase III study had an intra-individual design with 50 patients in 6 centers in Germany. Each patient received a maximum of 2 field-directed PDTs. Clinical end points and 1-year follow-up results were recorded.

RESULTS

BF-200 ALA was superior to the vehicle with respect to total lesion clearance rates (86.0% vs 32.9%; P < .0001) and patient complete clearance per patient's side (67.3% vs 12.2%, P < .0001). One-year overall lesion recurrence rate was 14.1% versus 27.4% (BF-200 ALA vs vehicle; P = .0068). Patients were more satisfied by the cosmetic outcome of BF-200 ALA/PDT than the vehicle/PDT. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of BF-200 ALA/PDT.

LIMITATIONS

Small number of severe lesions; limited sample size; unbalanced but representative distribution of AK.

CONCLUSION

BF-200 ALA showed significantly higher AK clearance rates on extremities, trunk, and neck than the vehicle and was well tolerated.